Save the Northfield Depot is moving towards its “move”—the move of the 1888 depot anticipated for next summer. Two donations totaling $12,000 were recently contributed as a matching challenge. Meeting the challenge will push the total raised to $175,000 toward its goal of $293,000 to save, renovate and reuse the depot. A $5,000 donation from the Northfield Rotary was combined with an anonymous gift of $7,000 for the matching challenge.

"Northfield Rotary has a rich history of supporting bold and ambitious local projects," said Northfield Rotary president Matt Rich when announcing their donation. "For these reasons, Save the Northfield Depot is a natural fit for us. It’s a chance for our community and our club to save an important piece of Northfield history and leave an enduring legacy. It’s not a gift; it’s another Rotary investment in this community’s future.”

Typical comments accompanying donations from citizens have included “I’ve been wondering why someone didn’t do something with that building” and “how sad it is that the building with wonderful potential had been allowed to get to that state.” The recent site plan drawings have been enthusiastically received by the public and can be found on www.northfielddepot.org.

“It’s now or never,” noted Rob Martin, co-chair of Save the Northfield Depot's Board of Directors. “The depot is scheduled for demolition so we need to move it from the railroad property. Several other towns moved their depot from railroad property this summer for the same reason.”

Martin noted that their stories, pictures, and videos have been inspiring.

“If they can do it, so can we,” he added.

Yet, the project is about much more than saving a historic building. The city transit hub is proposed to be on the same block with depot.

“Once moved, the depot will be a catalyst for economic activity through tourism and transit as well as for visitor and community use,” said Pat Allen, board member of Save the Northfield Depot.

Individuals and organizations or businesses interested in helping meet the $12,000 challenge by the December 31 deadline can send their contribution to Save the Northfield Depot, 712 4th St. E., Northfield, MN 55057 or click on the donate now button at www.northfielddepot.org.

Article originally appeared on Save the Northfield Depot (http://www.northfielddepot.org/).